Hello all, my family is relocating to Espoo for 2018 for my work and for various reasons we are arriving on 24 December. We are American, and tried to avoid arriving on Christmas Day but I learned now that in Finland Christmas Eve is the bigger holiday. My question is will we be able to find transportation from the airport to our apartment on Christmas Eve? And also, of course I know that most places are closed for the holiday, but if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants open on Christmas Eve + Christmas Day,it would be most appreciated! Also, are any grocery stores open that we might be able to pick up some items? Grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.

Arriving in Helsink on December 24

mask wrote:Hello all, my family is relocating to Espoo for 2018 for my work and for various reasons we are arriving on 24 December. We are American, and tried to avoid arriving on Christmas Day but I learned now that in Finland Christmas Eve is the bigger holiday. My question is will we be able to find transportation from the airport to our apartment on Christmas Eve? And also, of course I know that most places are closed for the holiday, but if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants open on Christmas Eve + Christmas Day,it would be most appreciated! Also, are any grocery stores open that we might be able to pick up some items? Grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.

No idea about restaurants. First two www.k-supermarket.fi shops I checked haven't announced yet the Christmas week's hours, so probably next week you can check for yourself. Taxi should be available from airport as would be the train. See www.taksihelsinki.fi and www.vr.fi

There is a grocery store at Helsinki-Vantaa airport called Alepa that is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Many regular stores are also open, but with shorter hours. There are small 24/7 grocery shops on some gas stations. Those gas stations usually have restaurants also, that might be open. Also look for restaurants that are located on hotels, many of them are surely open and cater to everyone and not just hotel guests. And there's definitely an occasional kebab-pizzeria that has decided to keep doors open, so you won't starve. But if you are looking for a fine dining opportunity for a more formal Christmas dinner or something, then you propably need a table reservation.

You can use https://www.reittiopas.fi/ to check the availability of public transport from the airport to your apartment. Once you enter the points of origin and destination, you can add the date and time. Good luck!

Also, if your ground transportation takes you through the Helsinki Central Railway Station, you can visit the 24/7 S-Market there.

At airport there is no need to pre-order regular taxi, airport has automated system rationing taxis from waiting area to both terminals. If the waiting area runs dry, they'll automatically summon free taxis nearby to satisfy the need. All regular taxis charge according to same tariff (this is about to change sometime in 2018). There are also some shared taxi services, which could save a bit money, but difference is not remarkable in my opinion. Depending where in Espoo You are heading, price for regular taxi should be approx. 40-60€. Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are generally accepted in taxis.

Most - not all - supermarkets are open until 4pm on Christmas eve. There is shopping mall "Jumbo" abt. 3 kilometers from the airport. If You arrive early enough to get through airport formalities before 1pm, You can probably find there something to keep Your family from starving.Remember that in strange shopping environment You need more time to find Your desired articles. In case of arriving later, Alepa grocery store at airport is Your best bet.

As Finns typically spend Christmas eve having family dinner at home, most restaurants keep closed. In case of urgent need for something to keep You from fainting, trust the Golden Arches, McDonald's is running business as usual.

There are also some bit more upmarket options at least in some of the Kämp Collection hotels (no personal experience) and in Restaurant Sunn (Visited some time ago, nothing phenomenal compared to pricing, but could visit again).

*Sadly association of taxis with Helsinki as their primary operating area decided to abandon the Valopilkku-system and develop their own. However, there are always Espoo and Vantaa-based taxis bringing customers to Helsinki, so You can still get a taxi through Valopilkku also in Helsinki, but from smaller pool of cars.